* 10372 McFadden Avenue, Westminster, CA 92683 * (714) 839-5644 *




La Quinta High School
Music Department Staff


William Gutaskus (aka "Mr. G")
Director of Instrumental Music
Mr. G has been so busy with the current marching season that he’s been unable to update his bio, but he certainly will shortly. The highest honor Mr. G has received is the opportunity to work with the many talented students (and parents) at La Quinta High School.


Steve Hensley
Director of Choral Music & Theater
Steve Hensley has been teaching for twenty-nine years, seventeen at La Quinta High School. His choirs and theatrical productions are esteemed throughout the Southland. Numerous awards have come his way, including being a Los Angeles County Music Center Bravo Finalist, Outstanding Music Educator of Orange County Award, and the Disney Creativity Challenge Teacher of the Year as well as Westminster Teacher of the Year. Steve Hensley is listed in Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's Who in America. He has directed and produced numerous musicals including Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Fiddler On The Roof, South Pacific, and Bye Bye Birdie! The Los Angeles Times, Variety, and Backstage West (nee Dramalogue) have given him rave reviews for his musical direction in such productions as Coming of Age, and Holy Ghosts. In his spare time, Steve has served as president of the Orange County Music Educators Association, California Music Educators Association - Southern Section, and has served on the Board of Directors of the California Music Educators Association -State Board. A graduate of the USC Thornton School of Music, Steve Hensley has degrees in Clarinet Performance and Composition.


Julie Lopez
Color Guard and Winter Guard Coach
Julie Lopez has been the guard coach at La Quinta for a total of six years. She is responsible for all guard activites including costume design, flag design, winter guard drill design, choreography, and field visuals. Julie also works at Segerstrom High School in the administrative office.


Jesse Rivera
Rifle Tech - Guard
Mr. Jesse Rivera is the rifle and sabre tech. for the LQ Aztecs. Mr. Jesse assists with teaching movement and choreography. Mr. Jesse's dynamic choreography and equipment work keeps the team on their toes!


Kerri Weisenberger
Friends of Music President, Saxophone Coach
Kerri Weisenberger is the President of the Friends of Music, the parent music booster club at La Quinta High School. Kerri is also the saxophone and oboe coach for the instrumental music department. As president, Kerri oversees all aspects of the booster club, manages the football snack bar, oversees distribution and care of uniforms, manages fund raisers, transports equipment, repairs instruments, purchases reeds, and keeps the staff sane. Kerri was recently awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the Orange County Department of Education, and she was named a "Hero In Education" by the California Lottery. We're lucky to have her!